WHEATON -- A relentlessly tough schedule and a series of close losses have had a huge impact on Wheaton North’s win-loss record.

But beyond the deceiving digits in their 1-14-2 season, the Falcons have had an elite player flying under the radar.

Playing in the talent-filled DuPage Valley Conference, Wheaton North senior defender Michael Pfaff has earned his place on the list of the league’s best.

“He is just a workhorse, by far one of the best defenders I’ve been around and ever seen,” Falcons coach Rob Stassen said.

“He is top notch in the DVC, which is one of the powerhouses in the state (as a conference). He holds his own with all of them. He’s one of those guys where opposingcoaches come in and say, ‘Michael’s not playing – thank God.’”

That scenario came into play after Pfaff suffered a concussion in a 2-1 loss to Glenbard North on Sept. 29.

He missed the next two matches, in which the Falcons lost 3-1, and 5-0 in their worst defeat of the season. Pfaff returned Tuesday, and Wheaton North fell just 1-0 at Waubonsie Valley.

“When he wasn’t on the field, we felt it,” Stassen said. “He got taken out with a concussion against Glenbard North and missed two games, then he played Tuesday against Waubonsie and played unbelievable.”Whether it’s a talented opposing forward or an injury, Pfaff lets no challenge deter him.

“I came back rejuvenated and better than ever,” Pfaff said. “I got to refocus and evaluate how I’ve been playing, and see the field from a different perspective I guess. I just came back going at it 100 percent, don’t take anything for granted.”

The Falcons have certainly had to learn to expect the unexpected. That reached extremes Thursday – nine minutes into their match against Leyden, a power failure knocked thrust the stadium into darkness and brought a bizarre end to the Senior Night match.

“If it’s not playing our best and losing, it’s the power going out,” Stassen said. “This has been one of those seasons, and to have it finish this way – there’s nothing you can do but laugh.”

The list of excellent performances in losing efforts has been more frustrating than amusing for the Falcons and Pfaff, who serves as a tri-captain on the team with juniors Joseph Simon and Jake Dzarnowski .

The resume includes one-goal losses to talented teams that include DVC champion Naperville North, Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard North, and a 3-1 loss to tough Neuqua Valley in Pfaff’s absence.

Through it all, Pfaff and the Falcons have stayed positive.

“We just have to forget what happened,” Pfaff said. “Each day is a new day. We have to come out and compete.

“Teams are going to underestimate us because of our record, but we’re much better than a one-win team. Play as hard as we can, that’s all we can do.”

The Falcons hope all those close games against good teams will pay off as the postseason begins. Wheaton North faces Schaumburg in Saturday’s regional quarterfinal.

“Everyone’s record is 0-0 in the playoffs,” Pfaff said. “One game at a time, and you just have to give it everything you’ve got for one game and hopefully the result comes. That’s all you can do.”

When the 2016 season ends, Pfaff’s soccer experience will enter a great new phase in college.

“I’ve signed to play at Olivet Nazarene University,” Pfaff said, “and my brother (Brian) plays there too, so it’ll be fun to play next to him.”

A sophomore at the Bourbonnais school (where the Cubs’ Ben Zobrist played the first three years of his collegiate career), Brian Pfaff has started all 14 games this fall for Olivet Nazarene (9-3-2). It will be their first time as teammates.

“He (Brian) played at Academy when he was in high school,” said Pfaff, who plans to major in engineering. “I’m really excited. And he also plays defense, so playing next to him is really going to be fun. This isn’t the end of my soccer career.”

When the Wheaton North chapter of that career is over, Pfaff will have great memories on and off the field.

“Coming in as a senior, I wanted to be a good leader on the team and really organize the team well,” Pfaff said. “Being a center-back I have to help out my other defenders and see the whole field.

“Our team is really close – that’s probably the best thing about high school soccer. Practice every day, games, and hanging out on the weekends and stuff. It’s the team bonding that’s the best.”

The impact Pfaff has had on the Wheaton North program has also been huge.

“He is, start-to-finish an unbelievable kid on and off the field, and a great leader,” Stassen said. “He’s been fantastic. He’s our rock – we’re going to miss him next year.”